Vivian Burey Marshall facts for kids

Vivian "Buster" Burey Marshall (February 11, 1911 – February 11, 1955) was an American civil rights activist. She was married to Thurgood Marshall for 25 years. Thurgood Marshall was a famous lawyer for the NAACP Legal Defense Fund. He led the important Brown v. Board of Education case in 1954. After her death, her husband became the first African-American U.S. Supreme Court Justice.

Early Life and Education

Vivian Burey was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on February 11, 1911. Her parents, Christopher and Maud Burey, worked in catering. This means they provided food services for events. Vivian grew up in a middle-class family and went to local schools.

Vivian met Thurgood Marshall when she was 18 years old. At the time, she was a student at the University of Pennsylvania. Thurgood was studying at nearby Lincoln University.

Marriage and Support for Civil Rights

Vivian, also known as Buster, married Thurgood Marshall on September 4, 1929. This was during Thurgood's last year at Lincoln University. She is known for helping her husband become a better student. Thurgood graduated with honors and later finished first in his class at Howard University Law School.

After Thurgood graduated from college in 1930, they moved to Baltimore. Vivian worked there as a secretary. She had several miscarriages during their marriage and never had any children.

After Thurgood finished law school, they moved to New York. In the mid-1940s, he started the NAACP Legal Defense Fund. This organization worked to protect civil rights. Vivian also worked there, alongside other civil rights activists. These included Edward W. Jacko and Jawn A. Sandifer.

Illness and Influence

In the 1950s, Vivian became very sick. She was first thought to have the flu or pleurisy. But she was sick for many months. She eventually learned that she had lung cancer.

Vivian kept her illness a secret from her husband for a long time. This was because he was busy leading the Brown v. Board of Education case. This important case was being heard by the US Supreme Court. After the court made its decision on May 17, 1954, Vivian told her husband about her illness.

Historian Richard Kluger wrote a book called Simple Justice. In it, he said Vivian was an important, though indirect, influence on the Brown v. Board of Education decision.

Vivian Marshall died of lung cancer on February 11, 1955. It was her 44th birthday. She had been married for 25 years. Her husband, Thurgood Marshall, remarried in December 1955 to Cecilia Suyat. Cecilia also worked as a secretary at the NAACP Legal Defense Fund.

Legacy

The Vivian Burey Marshall Academy was named in her memory. It started in 2016 as part of the Thurgood Marshall College Fund. This program connects students with U.S. Army scientists and engineers. It helps students in grades 6–10 learn about Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM). The academy serves students in the Baltimore, Maryland, and Vicksburg, Mississippi, areas.

Vivian Marshall was also shown in the 2017 movie Marshall. This film was about Thurgood Marshall's early career. Actress Keesha Sharp played Vivian Marshall in the movie.